--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nothing in the world is permanent, and…" description: "\"Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc1/w-somerset-maugham-237_change_nothing-in-the-world-is-permanent-and-we_2242525.jpg" --- # Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when… ![“Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it.” quote by W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc1/w-somerset-maugham-237_change_nothing-in-the-world-is-permanent-and-we_2242525.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc1/w-somerset-maugham-237_change_nothing-in-the-world-is-permanent-and-we_2242525.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc1/w-somerset-maugham-237_change_nothing-in-the-world-is-permanent-and-we_2242525.jpg) > “Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it.” [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life is fleeting; clinging to permanence is folly, yet we should cherish moments while they last. **In simple terms:** Nothing lasts; enjoy now. Key Takeaway Embrace the present. Themes impermanence mindfulness joy Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - relationships - career - health - travel Key Concepts Existentialism Stoicism Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance appreciation with planning? - What does “delight” mean to you? A Different Perspective Focusing solely on enjoyment can ignore deeper purpose. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Delight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delight/) [Impermanence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impermanence/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Nothing in the world is permanent, and were foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely were still more foolish not to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nothing-in-the-world-is-permanent-and-were-foolish-when-we-ask/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/nothing-in-the-world-is-permanent-and-we-re-foolish-when-we-ask/) [W. 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Somerset Maugham > [“A man thinks it quite natural that he should fall out of love with a woman, but it never strikes him for a moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/a-man-thinks-it-quite-natural-that-he-should-fall-out-of-love-with-a/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“A man's work reveals him. In social intercourse he gives you the surface that he wishes the world to accept, but in his book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/a-man-s-work-reveals-him-in-social-intercourse-he-gives-you-the/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [Love is only a dirty trick played on us to achieve continuation of the species.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/love-is-only-a-dirty-trick-played-on-us-to-achieve-continuation-of/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [The world is hard and cruel. 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Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“My dear, you used to be quite a dish; now you're quite a tureen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/my-dear-you-used-to-be-quite-a-dish-now-you-re-quite-a-tureen/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“When people say they do not care what others thing of them, for the most part they deceive themselves”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/when-people-say-they-do-not-care-what-others-thing-of-them-for-the/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) [Explore all 840 W. Somerset Maugham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. 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